City leisure, sport and culture officials have been told to encourage more people to visit museums, the theatre, parks, libraries and leisure centres.

According to council research, the lowest participation is in Hodge Hill, Ladywood, Perry Barr and Erdington with only 58 to 66 per cent of residents using cultural facilities.

Funding is being sought from partnership group Be Birmingham for a range of fun, cultural and sporting activities.

The aim is to get those who never take part into the community.

A watchdog committee has been told initiatives, including later library hours, Sunday opening, the return of a half marathon, revamp of the Walkathon and community Arts Champions made a difference.

But a report revealed little about how to boost participation further.

Coun Muhammed Afzal (Lab, Aston) said: “This report is full of good objectives, but there is no advice on how to achieve them.”

And committee chairman Coun John Alden (Con, Harborne) was unhappy the decision on funding rested with Be Birmingham, a partnership between the city council and local agencies. He said: “We have to go to Be Birmingham for this money when the council should have it, not some unelected quango.”

Officials told the committee starter events, such as the 5km fun run staged by the Birmingham Mail in April, would be set up in all four areas.

They said they wanted to target people who never became involved in events, rather than get those already involved.

Coun Alden added the £10million grants the city gave to arts organisations should be linked to getting more people involved in cultural activity.